Danny Ings will sign a new contract at Southampton despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, Saints chief executive Martin Semmens has said in quotes reported by the Daily Echo.
Southampton supporters could be forgiven if they don’t share Semmens’ confidence.
The South Coast club has made a habit of selling star players year in, year out, failing to shed that ‘selling club’ tag. And, following a horror run of 13 defeats in their past 17 games, who could blame Ings for stalling on a new contract at St Mary’s?
Goal reports the England international, who will be a free agent in 2022, wants to play European football – and he’s not going to get that at Southampton.
Fifth-place West Ham are weighing up a summer bid for Ings, according to talkSPORT last week, while Tottenham are expected to make an approach of their own as Harry Kane threatens to walk away from his boyhood club.
But Semmens’ eye-catching comments don’t fit the narrative, with all speculation suggesting Ings’ prolific spell in red and white is coming to an end.
Smoke, it seems, doesn’t always lead to fire.
“I think he probably will (sign a new deal),” the Southampton chief explains.
“Like I’ve said all along, Danny’s been really open and clear with his communication with the club and what he wants to do. He’s committed to us.
“The players are free to make their own choices and Danny will make his own choice but, if you ask me now, I think Danny will be with us next season.
“Danny has never done anything but be incredibly hard-working and committed to this club.”
Actions speak louder than words, of course, and, until Ings is posing for photos with a pen in hand and a red-and-white scarf around his neck, Southampton supporters will fear the worst.
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